Here are IELTS General Training Task 1 Writing Questions for you to practice your writing skills.
Using the official marking rubric for IELTS Writing Task 1 will also help you understand what is expected of you.
Apology
Your friend invited you to his/her birthday party, but you were unable to attend. Write a letter apologizing for your absence. In your letter:
- state why you could not go
- explain your reason for not contacting your friend sooner
- suggest another time to meet
You were absent from an important event held by the company you work for. Write a letter to apologize for this absence. Your
letter should include:
- what the event was
- why the event was important
- why you were absent
One of your friends recently had a birthday celebration, but you missed it and you forgot to tell your friend that you couldn’t attend.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
- apologise for missing the birthday celebration
- explain why you missed it and why you didn’t tell your friend
- say what you would like to do to show that you are sorry
You missed an appointment. Write a letter explaining what happened. In your letter include:
- what the appointment was
- an apology for missing the appointment
- a request to reschedule
Your neighbours have recently written to you to complain about the noise from your house or flat.
Write a letter to your neighbours. In your letter,
- explain the reasons for the noise
- apologise
- describe what action you will take
Advice
A friend wants to spend a four-week holiday in your country and has written asking for advice about the trip. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
offer to find somewhere to stay,
give advice about what to do,
give information about what clothes to bring.
You have a friend who is about to go to a university, and he wants you to give him advice on which course to take – philosophy, in which he is very interested, or computer science, which offers better job prospects.
You recently received a letter from a friend asking for advice about whether to go to college or to try to get a job. You think he/she should get a job.
Write a letter to this friend. In your letter
- say why he/she would not enjoy going to college
- explain why getting a job is a good idea for him/her
- suggest types of job that would be suitable for him/her
Suggestion
You have a suggestion for a park nearby where you live. Write a letter to your city’s council. In your letter include:
- what your suggestion is
- why you think this suggestion will improve the park
- when you would like to see this suggestion in action
Write a letter to your local library suggesting something they could do to improve their facility. In your letter include:
- an account of a poor experience you had
- what you feel the library should change
- why you feel the library needs alteration
Help
You are travelling and need someone to do you a favour while you are gone. Write a letter asking a neighbour or friend for
help. In your letter include:
- where you are going
- what the favour is
- why you need this friend to help
You will move to a new city because of your work. Ask some friends who live there for help finding accommodation. Tell them where you would like to live and the type of accommodation you are looking for.
You were recently impressed by a staff member at a store. Write a letter describing your appreciation. In your letter include:
- what the situation was
- how you were helped
- what you are going to do as a result of this good experience
You recently attended a meeting at a hotel. When you returned home, you found you had left some important papers at the hotel.
Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter
- say where you think you left the papers
- explain why they are so important
- tell the manager what you want him/her to do
Complaint
You asked the bank for a new chequebook two weeks ago but you haven’t received anything. Write a letter to the manager complaining about the service. Say how and when you ordered the chequebook. Tell them when you need the chequebook by and ask the manager to send it to you before this date.
Thank You
You recently took a trip. In your absence, a friend did you a big favour.
Write a letter thanking them. In your letter include:
- what the favour was
- how this favour helped you
- an offer of compensation
A pet belonging to a friend of yours recently passed away. Write a letter to console your friend. In your letter include:
- your condolences
- what kind of animal it was
- something you think will raise your friend’s spirits
After being involved in a bad accident, you were cared for by a person that you do not know. Write a kind letter to express your thanks.
Recommendation
You had a very good experience in a local restaurant with your family. Write a letter to a newspaper to tell them about it, describe what you liked about it, and why you think the restaurant is worth visiting.
Refund
Write a letter to a company asking for a refund for something you bought from them online. In your letter include:
- what you bought
- what the problem is
- why you want a refund